Automatic leveling device.



E. TOMASZEWSKY & H. PROCIOWI AUTOMATIC LEVELING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 30. 191e.

Patented July 31, 1917.

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AUTOMATIC LEVEUNG DEVICE. APPLICATION HLED DEC. 3oi 191e.

1,235,259., Patented July 31, 1917.

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E. TOMASZEVWSKY L R. PROCIOW.

AUTOMATIC LEVELING DEVICE. 'APPLICATION FILED DEc.30` i916.

1,235,259. A Pavfented July 3l, 1917.

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E. TOMASZEWSKY L E. PROCOW` AUTOMATIC LIE'VELNG DEVICE. APPLICATION min Umso. |915.

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WNTED STATES FATENT FFQE.

EMANUEL TOMASZEWSKY AND ROMAN PROCIW, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOTEATIC LEVELING DEVICE.

Application filed December 30, 1916.

To all whom t may. concern Be it lmown that l, EMANUEL Toirasznw- SKY, a subject of the Emperor of Austria, resident of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, and I, ROMAN PRooIw, a subject of the Emperor of Austria, resident of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Leveling Devices, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to improvements in furniture, and particularly with reference to tables of a type adapted to be used on board sea going vessels and other like situations where the supporting surface may be subjected to varying inclinations.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a table in which the upper or top portion will at allk times remain substantially horizontal irrespective of the position of its supports.

This object is attained by the novel construction and combination of parts hereafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a material part of this disclosure, and in which Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a table made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the pendulous weight used in maintaining the top of the table in a level position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an interior corner of the table construction, and

Fig. 6 is a partial side elevational view indicating in broken lines some of the various positions which the table elements may assume.

The structure is comprised of a rigid rectangular frame having side and end elements respectively 10 and 11, the same being supported by standards 12 arranged rigidly at the corners thereof. A longitudinal bai' 14 is attached rigidly to the end plates 11 and has as its center a bolt 15, in the lower end of which is engaged the elements of a universal joint 16, by means of which the pendent weight 18 is supported.

Formed with the weight 18 upon opposite sides are lugs 19 in which are rigidly secured rods 20, the same extending laterally outward toward the sides of the table where Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.'

Serial No. 139,716. l

they are rigidly engaged with yokes 22 at the ends of which are universal joints 23 engaging in turn with tubular elements 25 con-V 39 rotatable upon the shafts 40, the opposite.

side of the pinions engaging with racks 42 attached to and by which the top of the table 45 is supported. The lower side of the table top has attached to it pendant leaves 46, carrled by the hinges 47, the leaves acting as l guides within the frame whereby the table top is restrained from excessive lateral or longitudinal motion.

Thus as the weight or pendulum 18 is oscillated in any direction by reason of its gravity, or more properly if the table assumes other than a horizontal position, the gear connection between the pendulum and the racks are caused to operate, raising or lowering the table top proportionately to the deflection of the supporting surface of the table standards, the top of the table remaining substantially in a horizontal position.

When it is desirable to secure the table top rigidly with relation to the frame, as at such times as the vessed is in port or when weights may be placed near the top slidable bars 50 are provided, the same extending upward from the thickened corners of the frame, the bars being moved through the pins 51, rigidly set therein and operable within slots 52 formed in bell-crank levers 53, fulcrumed on pins 54, the other end of the bell-crank levers being pivotally engaged with universal connecting links 55, the outer ends of which engage with the short ends 56 of levers 57, pivoted at 58 in one of the frame members, so that by operating the levers 57 all of the several bars 50 may be raised uniformly and held by friction, thereby holding the table top parallel with the upper edge of the table frame.

Casings 60 are provided for the train of gears 30 to 39 inclusive, so as to prevent dust and the lile from gathering therein, and as all the mechanism is contained below the table top7 and within the contour of the table frame, with the exception of the pendulum weight, there is nothing objectionable in the appearance of the device which resembles an ordinary dining table.

The operation of the device isthought to be evident from the foregoing description from which it will be seen that the purpose or object desired is met in a practical manner.

Haring thus described our inyention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

l. In a table of the class described, the combination with a rigid frame, and supports therefor, of a bar centrally disposed longitudinally of said frame, a weight suspended at the center of said bar, a table top, rack supports engaging with said top, and means operable by said weight for actuating said supports whereby the said table top is maintained in a horizontal position irrespective of the supports of the table frame.

2. In a table of the class described, the combination with a rigid frame having supports at the corners thereof, a pendent weight pirotally attached centrally of said frame, a cover loosely engaged with said frame yertical racks attached to said cover extending downward within said frame, a gear train engaged with said racks, and means combined with said pendent weight for actuating said gear train when said weight is caused to more in any direction.

3. In a table of the class described, the combination with a rigid rectangular frame having corner supports, a table top loosely engaged within said frame, a weight supported by said frame, means permitting said weight to oscillate in any direction, arms rigidly engaged with said nf'eight, yokes on the ends of said arms, a gear train, means for actuating said gear train engaged with said yokes, and meanscombined with said gear train for raising or lowering portions of said table top according to the inclination of the said weight.

ln testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures this lst day of Decemberj 1916.

EMANUEL TOMASZEWTSKY. ROMAN PROC-ICH7.

opes ef this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

